The fascinating limestone cave "Maki-do Cave" is a filming location, a lovers' sanctuary, and the venue for the Mori Art Festival! (Niimi City)

• Table of contents
• What is Maki-do Cave?
• The origin of the name " Maki-do Cave"
• It has been chosen as a filming location for the movie "The Village of Eight Graves" four times.
• It is also known as a lovers' sanctuary.
• Ripples spreading across the underground lake
• Stalactites formed over a long period of time
• watch your head!
• The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama , will be hosting an exhibition of works by Mika Ninagawa with EiM!
• Opening hours, closed days, and admission fees
• Access and parking information
• Mr. Matsui, who told us about Maki-do Cave
• Stalactites that shine like jewels
• Conclusion

What is Maki-do Cave?

Maki-do Cave Cave is a 450m-long limestone cave located in Niimi City , Okayama Prefecture , and can be explored in about 30 minutes. The cave is home to beautifully illuminated stalactites and a fantastical water surface, making it a popular photo spot. The temperature remains around 15°C throughout the year, making it a comfortable space that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. On the day of our visit, the temperature was over 30°C, but the cool air from inside the cave was flowing into the plaza near the entrance, making the cave even more comfortable.

The origin of the name " Maki-do Cave"

The name "Maki-do Cave" comes from the poet Yosano Akiko. When Yosano Tekkan and his wife Akiko visited the cave in 1929 (Showa 4), they praised it as "a cave full of wonders." A stone monument bearing a poem about Maki-do Cave has been erected near the entrance to the cave.

It has been chosen as a filming location for the movie "The Village of Eight Graves" four times.

Maki-do Cave has been used a total of four times as a filming location for the TV drama and movie "The Village of Eight Graves." It is said that this selection is related to the fact that the author, Yokomizo Seishi, evacuated to Okayama. On display is a panel of Kindaichi Kosuke, featuring Niimi City's mascot character, Niimin, in a charming style.

It is also known as a lovers' sanctuary.

Maki-do Cave Cave is also famous as a sacred place for lovers. Inside the cave is the Lover's Fountain, which in some places appears to be heart-shaped. This fountain is said to grant wishes, and is known as a power spot for love and matchmaking.

Highlight 1: Colorful "Spring"

Now, let's introduce the highlights of Maki-do Cave. The inside of the cave is lit up with colorful LEDs, creating a beautiful and fantastical scene. This is a place called "Sensui" (Spring Water). The scenery, filled with vibrant colors and mysterious shapes, is like being in another world. It is also a popular photo spot.

Highlight 2: The terraced rice fields of Senmaida

This is a place called "Senmaida." The landscape looks like rice terraces filled with water. Apparently, this shape was created when the water came into contact with the surrounding air and solidified. Interestingly, the water level inside "Maki-do Cave" fluctuates, and it seems to be flooded or completely dry depending on the season.

Highlight 3: Ryugu Bridge over Lake Dounai

The Ryugu Bridge spans the lake at the very Oku of the cave. This is the exact scenery that Ryugu Miyagi would have. The typically Japanese red bridge is apparently especially popular with tourists from overseas. The LED lighting changes color depending on the time of day, allowing you to enjoy a variety of different atmospheres.

Highlight 4: Heart-shaped and Lover's Fountain

If you go further from Ryugu Bridge, you will see a heart-shaped silhouette. It is a view worthy of a "lover's sanctuary," and Oku it lies the "Lover's Fountain."

Ripples spreading across the underground lake

The water in the underground lake is highly filtered, making it extremely clear. The plop, plop... of the falling water droplets creates ripples on the calm water surface. The way the rings spread out at irregular intervals is never boring to watch.

Stalactites formed over a long period of time

Water drips here and there inside the cave (sometimes it falls on your neck or head, giving you a chill). This water contains calcium, and where it falls it grows like icicles. It takes 100 years for it to grow 1cm, giving you a mind-boggling sense of time. There are many long, icicle-like stalactites inside the cave. Sediments called stalagmites form beneath the icicles, and when they connect Joge , they form stone pillars.

watch your head!

There are several places in the cave where you have to crouch down to proceed. It feels like you're exploring, but you need to be careful not to hit your head.

The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama , will be hosting an exhibition of works by Mika Ninagawa with EiM!

In the fall of 2024, the international art festival " The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama " will be held in northern Okayama Prefecture . Maki-do Cave will be the venue for an exhibition of works by Mika Ninagawa with EiM. When I visited, the area was blue and green, but it will be transformed into a world of bright red with the installation of approximately 1,000 artificial red spider lilies. It will be a beautiful space that seems like it is not of this world. I am very much looking forward to it.

Opening hours, closed days, and admission fees

There are no regular closing days, but in 2024 there will be temporary closures in preparation for the "The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama" venue. During the "Mori Art Festival: Sunny Country, Okayama " period, high school students and younger will be admitted free of charge.

Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 (entrance until 16:30)

Closed: None

*Temporarily closed from Tuesday, September 24th to Friday, September 27th, 2024. Admission: Adults (high school students and above) 1,000 yen, middle school students 800 yen, children 500 yen, free for children under elementary school age.

※ Maki-do Cave single-museum admission ticket during the " The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama "

Admission fee: Adults (university students and vocational school students and above) 1,000 yen, high school students and below free

Makido Cave

719-2721 2276-2 Akauma, Toyonaga, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture

Access and parking information

The first parking lot can accommodate approximately 20 cars, but it tends to fill up on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. If it is full, there are the second and third parking lots a little further away. The road to the first parking lot is very narrow, so if you have a wide car, we recommend using the second or third parking lots. The entrance to Maki-do Cave is about a five-minute walk from the first parking lot, up a steep Saka(I was quite out of breath).

Mr. Matsui, who told us about Maki-do Cave

This time, Matsui Masaki gave us detailed information about Maki-do Cave. He said, "The temperature at Maki-do Cave is around 15 degrees Celsius all year round, so please come not only in the summer but also in the fall and winter. In the fall, the leaves are beautiful, and in the winter, it's warm and I recommend it. What's more, in the winter, the humidity drops, so the surfaces of the stalactites sparkle and shine beautifully. Please enjoy the fantastical Maki-do Cave."

Stalactites that shine like jewels

If you look closely, you can see that the surface of the stalactites sparkles like this. This is apparently crystallized calcium. This sparkle is said to be even more beautiful in winter.

Conclusion

Maki-do Cave is a limestone cavern full of attractions, including being the filming location for "The Village of Eight Graves," a place associated with Yosano Akiko, a sacred place for lovers, and a photogenic spot. Furthermore, you can enjoy a special view that can only be seen at this time of year during the soon-to-be-started "The Forest Festival of the Arts Okayama." Be sure to enjoy art in a comfortable natural space.